Archaeologists in Serbia have uncovered the first physical proof that brown bears were forced into combat during Roman arena games. At Viminacium, once a bustling military camp and provincial capital on the Danube frontier, researchers found the fractured skull of a brown bear dating back around 1,700 years.

Published in Antiquity, the study marks the first time skeletal evidence has verified what ancient texts and artwork had long suggested: bears were among the animals pitted against gladiators and hunters for public spectacle.

The skull belonged to a six-year-old male brown bear (Ursus arctos) discovered near the amphitheater entrance during excavations in 2016. Scientific analysis revealed signs of long captivity, repeated combat, and eventual death from an untreated head wound. Microscopic and radiological studies showed the bear had sustained a forceful blow to the forehead, likely from a weapon wielded by a bestiarius — a fighter who battled wild animals. Although the wound had partially healed, severe infection set in, ultimately killing the animal.

Additional evidence pointed to years of confinement: heavy tooth wear and jaw damage caused by constant cage-gnawing, a common stress behavior among captives. Researchers concluded the bear had been used in multiple spectacles before succumbing to its injuries. Other animal remains, including those of a leopard, further confirm that the Viminacium amphitheater served as a site of staged animal hunts and slaughter.

The arena itself, built in the 2nd century CE, could hold between 7,000 and 12,000 spectators. Like Rome’s Colosseum, it followed a grim daily program — morning animal hunts (venationes), midday executions, and afternoon gladiator contests. Bears often featured in the venationes, where they were set against hunters, other animals, or condemned prisoners.

Roman demand for exotic creatures drove a vast trade network across the empire, from Britain to North Africa. While lions, leopards, and elephants were imported, brown bears were more readily available in Europe. The Viminacium specimen likely came from the Balkan forests, showing how provincial arenas drew upon local wildlife to fuel public entertainment.

The discovery not only confirms the use of brown bears in Roman spectacles but also sheds light on the cruelty that sustained them. The infected wound, damaged teeth, and shortened life span all reveal years of suffering endured for mass amusement.

Home to nearly 40,000 residents at its height, Viminacium was a vital Roman hub on the empire’s eastern frontier. Today, its ruins serve as a stark reminder of the harsh realities behind Rome’s grand spectacles.